Early Signs and Symptoms of Accidental Exposure to X-Rays

DOE-HDBK-1109-97

Radiological Safety Training for Radiation-Producing (X-Ray) Devices

Instructor's Guide

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

iii. Early Signs and Symptoms of Accidental Exposure

to X-Rays.

Note: the doses discussed in this section are

localized shallow skin doses and/or localized doses,

but not whole body doses. Whole body deep doses

of this magnitude would likely be fatal. Accidental

exposures from RPDs are generally localized to a

small part of the body.

~600 rad. An acute dose of about 600 rad to a part

of the body causes a radiation burn equivalent to a

first-degree thermal burn or mild sunburn.

Typically there is no immediate pain that would

cause the participants to pull away, but a sensation

of warmth or itching occurs within a few hours

after exposure. An initial reddening or

inflammation of the affected area usually appears

several hours after exposure and fades after a few

more hours or days. The reddening may reappear

as late as two to three weeks after the exposure. A

dry scaling or peeling of the irradiated portion of

the skin is likely to follow.

If the participants have been working with or

around an X-ray device and the participants notice

an unexplained reddening of the skin, notify the

supervisor and the Occupational Medicine Group.

Aside from avoiding further injury and guarding

against infection, further medical treatment will

probably not be required and recovery should be

fairly complete.